Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 3, 2010 10:52:35 GMT -5

Ukraine to invest UAH 7 b in development of shelf of Black and Azov Seas within five years.

KYIV, August 3 /UKRINFORM/. Ukraine is planning to invest UAH 7 billion (UAH 7.9 / USD 1) within five years in the development of deposits on the shelf of the Black and Azov Seas, Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boiko said in an interview with the Segodnya newspaper, UKRINFORM reported.

"It's necessary to invest 7 billion hryvnians within five years so that we can have an annual production of three billion cubic meters of gas, rather than 1.2 billion cubic meters," he said.

Boiko added that "this gas will be used to ensure the needs of Ukraine, in particular, Crimea and Kherson region."

The Ukrainian sector of the shelf of the Black and Azov Seas totals 133,700 square kilometers and is part of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt that includes the largest oil and gas regions of Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, the North Caucasus and Romania.

Tadic was welcomed by Borisov Friday night at the Varna Airport where the two state leaders gave a news briefing before heading for the residence of the Bulgarian government on the Black Sea coast, the Evksinograd (Euxinograd) Palace.

The Serbian President has made it clear that the Serbian investments in the future second Bulgarian nuclear power plant at Belene will be a major topic of the bilateral talks with Borisov.

Recent statements of Bulgarian Economy Minister Traicho Traikov have indicated that Serbia is interested in participating in the project for the construction of Bulgaria’s second nuclear power plant at Belene, and was ready to invest in it a sum amounting to 1% of the total cost of the project.

“We are also going to talk with the Bulgarian Prime Minister about the Serbian investments in the Belene NPP. The energy problem is important not just for our two states but for the entire region,” stated the President of Serbia.

He and Borisov revealed that a joint project to develop and promote ski tourism in the Stara Planina (i.e. Balkan) Mountain, which is a border mountain between Bulgaria and Serbia in its westernmost part, is also on the table.

Tadic has emphasized that the two countries are working intensively on the construction of the Sofia-Nis Highway, and as whole on the joint section of Pan-European Transport Corridor No. 10 (from Istanbul to Vienna/Central Europe). He said the construction of highway section in Northern Serbia to the Hungarian border will start before the end of 2010, and that the entire route of Corridor No. 10 on Serbian soil will be completed in 2012.

“We have promised to one another to fight together organized crime in our countries and in the Balkans. This is a joint struggle because international crime knows no borders,” declared the President of Serbia in Varna.

Tadic did mention Serbia’s gratitude for Bulgaria for its full support for the former’s EU accession, and with respect to other issues.

“We have a constant dialogue with Bulgaria, and we are discussing all problems in the economic spheres,” he stated.

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister pointed out that he had personally informed Boris Tadic about the “road map” agreement that the Bulgarian government signed with Russia in July for the construction of the South Stream gas transit pipeline, a project that Borisov believes is of crucial importance for Serbia.

“President Tadic is one of the most highly-valued Serbian politicians, in whom Bulgaria and Europe see Serbia’s future. We know how hard it is for you to balance the present situation but we believe in your succes,” Borisov told Tadic before journalists in Varna.

Bulgaria’s Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov will also be participating in the high-level bilateral talks with Tadic.

In a statement Thursday, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has urged strategic economic partnership with Bulgaria.

The last meeting between Borisov and Tadic was in April 2010 when the Bulgarian PM visited Belgrade. Back then the governments of Bulgaria and Serbia agreed to speed up the completion of the Sofia-Nis Highway.

Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 7, 2010 2:00:12 GMT -5

The US, Canada and Russia have launched competing expeditions to map the bottom of the sea near the North Pole.

More than a third of the world's undiscovered gas and a tenth of its oil reserves are estimated to be in the region. So the race is on to claim ownership of the pole.

“The oil there is expensive right now, but for countries like the US it is a matter of energy security,” said Dr. Iosif Diskin, chairman of the National Strategy Council. “It will give Americans uninterrupted energy supplies regardless of any conflicts anywhere in the world.”

“The ability of a country to stake its place there will determine its prosperity in the coming decades,” argued Arkady Tishkov, deputy director of the Geographic Institute.

But it is not yet clear how the pie will be divided between the five nations closest to the North Pole.

The easiest way to gain economic rights to significant portions of the Arctic is by proving they are linked to the country itself by land. And this is what these expeditions are trying to do. As for Russia, it is hoping to prove our economic rights to the region before the UN by 2013 – this involves showing the exact location and makeup of our continental shelf.

Russia symbolically planted a flag at the North Pole back in 2007. Some have speculated this is a hint of the political grandstanding to follow.

But Diskin does not believe it will come to armed conflict.

“I will expect the word of the United Nations will be final on this,” he predicted.

Despite tens of millions spent by the northern neighbors, so far not a cent has been earned from the Arctic.

“Russia, for example, doesn't have the skills, doesn't have the ships to extract oil in the Arctic – it spends less on this than on football,” stated Robert Nigmatulin from the Institute of Oceanology.

But new technologies and equipment resistant to extreme weather and isolation may soon be here. Nigmatulin expects the active exploitation of the Arctic to begin within ten years.

“But it's not just about the profit – the risks as well,” he warned. “If you see the recent oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, you can predict the scale of disasters that can happen in the fragile Arctic climate.”

Discussion of environmental risks may delay offshore drilling in the Arctic, but it is unlikely to prevent it. And one thing is clear: A region that has so far existed without major human involvement is set for its biggest and most rapid period of change in millions of years.

The article points out the two have decided the pipe would cross the border between their countries in the area of the Serbian town of Dimitrovgrad, despite Gazprom opposing this version because it lengthens the route and makes the Russian-funded project more expensive.

“Belgrade has always been interested in this route, but failed to convince Gazprom and now is making attempts to use Sofia to achieve its goal while the latter, until recently, blackmailed Moscow with refusals to partake in South Stream,” the author says.

The publication reminds that after informal talks in Bulgaria’s Black Sea city of Varna over the weekend between Tadic and Borisov, the Bulgarian PM reported they have discussed and agreed the South Stream route will pass through Dimitrovgrad per the desire of the Serbian side. Tadic, on his part, had guaranteed Serbia’s participation in Bulgaria’s project to build a second Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the Danube town of Belene, the article points out.

The author further explains the South Stream route through Serbia is yet to be finalized, but there had been an agreement between Moscow and Belgrade the pipe would enter the country at the town of Zaychar, about 100 km north of Dimitrovgrad. Serbia insists on Dimitrovgrad because this way the pipe will cross its entire territory, not just the southern parts, cutting off important locations such as the regional city of Nis.

It was reported in Russian press Monday that Russian PM, Vladimir Putin, made a phone call to his Bulgarian counterpart to thank him about Bulgarian help in extinguishing Moscow wildfires, but the two also talked about South Stream and Belene, something the press center of the Bulgarian cabinet failed to note.

Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 10, 2010 5:36:33 GMT -5

The majority in the Serbian cabinet supports the country’s participation in Bulgaria’s Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project, according to the Serbian newspaper “Vecherne Novosti.”

The article reminds that over the weekend Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, stated Serbia’s inclusion has been agreed on during his meeting with Serbian President, Boris Tadic.

The newspaper cites an unnamed source from the cabinet saying the decision about Serbia partaking in the construction of the NPP in the Danube town of Belene will be made at the end of September, beginning of October when Bulgaria will make an official offer involving concrete percentage shares and the amount of the Serbian investment.

The article further notes that Borisov had said Bulgaria must first find a strategic European investor and then talk numbers with Serbia.

The law banning the construction of NPPs in Serbia is effective until 2015, but it does not prohibit participation in foreign ones. When the ban expires, Serbia will need another 15 years to build a nuclear plant, if it decides to do so, the author of the article points out.

The Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy, Petar Skundric, had offered support to the country’s inclusion in the project, the publication reminds, quoting Skundric saying that with the energy from Belene and after building several Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) inside the country, Serbia can become one of the leaders in energy production and supply in Europe.

“Vecherne Novosti” further writes that during his trip to China, Skundric had offered Beijing partnership for Belene, but an official response is yet to be received. Negotiations with China can begin only after the Serbian cabinet makes a firm commitment to Bulgaria’s NPP.

Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 10, 2010 8:15:05 GMT -5

Race for Riches: Will the Arctic see battle over oil & gas?www.youtube.com/watch?v=MykpU1cm-_0RussiaToday | 07 augusti, 2010A joint U.S.-Canadian expedition is set to kick off to map the Arctic ocean bed. A Russian exploration ship is already on its way to the polar waters. The three nations are gathering evidence in a bid to claim the immense energy resources of the region. The Arctic is believed to hold much of the world's untapped oil and gas reserves. RT talks to Edward Struzik, a Canadian researcher, to discuss the future of the region.

Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 11, 2010 8:29:51 GMT -5

Man! Someone ought to tell Gazprom to learn some diplomacy, final decision lies always with the countries in question, because it is through their countries n sovereignety that decide if they want the pipeline n route, AT ALL.

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Gazprom: We Got Final Say on South Stream Route.

Novinite.comEnergy | August 11, 2010, Wednesday

Gazprom will have the final say for the South Stream route, despite Bulgaria’s and Serbia’s wishes, the press service of the Russian concern has told the Serbian daily “Blic”.

Gazprom’s statement came as a comment on the result of the meeting between the Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov and the Serbian President Boris Tadic, when they agreed that the South Stream gas pipeline should enter Serbia at the town of Dimitrovgrad and not Zaychar, as was previously agreed with Russia.

“We do not want to comment what Serbia President Boris Tadic and Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov talked about. Those are their wishes. The decision on the South Stream route will depend exclusively on the feasibility study presently being worked on,” the comment from Moscow said, as reported by “Blic”.

Gazprom has explained that all suggestions will be taken into consideration when taking the final decision of the route.

“Of course the opinion of Serbia will also be taken into consideration but the final proposal will be given by Gazprom,” the Russian company stated.

On Tuesday, the Russian newspaper Komersant also wrote that Tadic and Borisov agreed on the South Stream route behind Gazprom’s back.

“Belgrade has always been interested in this route, but failed to convince Gazprom and now is making attempts to use Sofia to achieve its goal while the latter, until recently, blackmailed Moscow with refusals to partake in South Stream,” the article said.

Both publications remind that after informal talks in Bulgaria’s Black Sea city of Varna over the weekend between Tadic and Borisov, the Bulgarian PM reported they have discussed and agreed the South Stream route will pass through Dimitrovgrad per the desire of the Serbian side. Tadic, on his part, had guaranteed Serbia’s participation in Bulgaria’s project to build a second nuclear power plant (NPP) in the Danube town of Belene.

“Blic” has pointed out that Gazprom insisted on the South Stream route going through Zaychar because that option would be cheaper. Serbia, on the other side, wants the route to go through Dimitrovgrad because in that case it would run along the whole territory of the country.

If the route passes through Zaychar, the whole south part of Serbia would be cut off.

After their meeting on July 6 in Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Varna, Serbian President Boris Tadic (L) and Bulgaria's PM Boyko Borisov (R) annoucned that they have agreed on the South Stream route. Photo by BGNES

Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 11, 2010 9:35:33 GMT -5

Serbia to Acquire 25% of Belene.

Standartnews.comKristian Kosturkov

Serbia could participate with a share of even more than 25% in Belene NPP, emerged from a statement by Serbia's Minister of Energy, Petar Skundric. To his words, it would be more than beneficial for Serbia to participate in the energy project because through it the country will get access to cheap and clean energy. If Serbia's share in the project is limited to a small percentage, its financing could be covered by the ready capital of the company Elektroprivreda Srbije. If foreign credit financing is secured Belgrade may decided to ask for 20% or 25% of the shares in the second Bulgarian NPP, Skundric believes. He pointed out that Serbia could negotiate such a loan with Russia for instance, as the Russians were also strongly interested in the implementation of Belene NPP project.

Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 24, 2010 7:49:32 GMT -5

A Bulgarian delegation will hold talks in Moscow on September 8-9 on construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, its joint project with Russia and Greece, Igor Dyomin, an official representative of Russia's oil pipeline monopolyTransneft, said on Tuesday.

"The Bulgarian officials will see a presentation of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis project," he said.

Russia, Greece and Bulgaria signed a contract in 2007 on a joint construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline to bypass the busy Black Sea. The pipeline's capacity will be 35 million tons per annum with a possible expansion to 50 million tons.

Its construction was complicated since Bulgaria formed a new cabinet headed by Boyko Borisov, who has made contradictory statements on energy projects with Russia, including a rejection of plans to participate in construction of Burgas-Alexandroupolis.

In July, Bulgaria agreed to pay a 6.5 million euro contribution to the operating costs of the project, but its participation is still uncertain.

Post by TsarSamuil on Aug 31, 2010 8:24:51 GMT -5

Russian companies will supply about 70 percent of the required oil at market prices for a joint refinery project involving China's CNPC and Russia's Rosneft, China's Energy Minister Zhang Guobao said on Tuesday.

"The issue is resolved following friendly talks," Guobao said after an energy cooperation subcommittee meeting between the two countries.

Russia will supply the refinery located in China with 70 percent of its oil, with the other 30 percent to be delivered from Asia, he said, adding the refinery would buy oil at market prices.

Russia's biggest oil firm Rosneft owns 49 percent of the Russian-Chineese venture, with CNPC owning 51 percent. The refinery, with annual capacity of about 15 million tons, is expected to produce high-quality fuel to international standards.

Post by TsarSamuil on Sept 3, 2010 16:57:10 GMT -5

Russia's Transneft says unhappy with Turkey's position on Samsun–Ceyhan pipeline.

Turkey is trying to press unacceptable terms on Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft in negotiations over the construction of the Samsun–Ceyhan pipeline, Transneft President Nikolai Tokarev said on Friday.

"Turkey is suggesting signing an intergovernmental agreement, which fixes unacceptable economical limits for us. Certainly, we will not agree with it and will start a new round of negotiations from scratch," Tokarev said, adding that Turkey tries to secure unilateral benefits for itself.

In 2009, Russia's top oil firm Rosneft, Transneft, Sovcomflot shipping firm, Turkey's Calik group and Italy's Eni signed an agreement to participate in the Samsun–Ceyhan pipeline project, meant to carry oil from the Turkish port of Samsun on the Black Sea to a Mediterranean terminal in Ceyhan.

Tokarev also said that the parties had reached some agreements in July but Turkey was derailing them.

The Samsun–Ceyhan pipeline, which will transport 60-70 million tonnes of oil per year, is designed to ease the traffic burden in the Bosporus and the Dardanelles straits.

Post by TsarSamuil on Sept 5, 2010 5:55:23 GMT -5

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev had ordered the cabinet to nominate Eduard Khudaynatov for President of Rosneft, the Russian information agency RIA Novosti reports, citing a Kremlin spokesperson.

The spokesman informed Mevdev met with Khudaynatov Saturday. Khudaynatov, 50, and currently the company's First Deputy President is to succeed current CEO Sergey Bogdanchikov, who has headed the company since 1998.

Bogdanchikov's contract expired in June and, according to media report, he has submitted his resignation. He headed Rosneft through the initial public offering and the assets acquisition of the bankrupted oil company Yukos

A Rosneft spokesman declined to confirm the nomination and reported Bogdanchikov was on a business trip.

Unnamed sources have said Bogdanchikov lost the trust of the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and President of the Rosneft Board of Directors, Igor Sechin. On Friday the CEO declined commenting on the rumors he is resigning.

Rosneft is Russia's largest oil producer with the Russian State as a majority shareholder. The company is one of the partners in the controversial Bulgarian-Russian-Greek project for the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

Post by TsarSamuil on Sept 9, 2010 15:45:59 GMT -5

What processes are underway in the Arctic? What is their economic impact? Can Russia benefit from global warming? Where do we stand in terms of the increased dialogue and competition between the Arctic powers for control over the Arctic's economic zones? Professor Arkady Tishkov, deputy director of the Institute for Geography at the Russian Academy of Sciences, shares his opinions in an interview with Andrei Zolotov, Jr., editor-in-chief of RussiaProfile.org.

Post by TsarSamuil on Sept 12, 2010 9:07:52 GMT -5

Authorities in Macedonia are seriously looking into opportunities for the country to join Nabucco, according to Minister of Economy Fatmir Besimi, quoted by Macedonian daily Vecer.

Macedonia is eying participation in "Europe's strategic gas projects" and is interested in participating in Nabucco, said Besimi.

He also added that his country should be looking into the potential of benefiting from gas transit through its territory.

According to the Macedonian economy minister, his country has to seize all opportunities to joint regional and international gas networks "to acquire the name of a transit zone both in natural gas in specific and in energy in general."

Nabucco is a much-cherished EU energy project, hoped to effect the much-vaunted European South Energy Corridor in a bid to ensure the security of gas deliveries to Europe and decrease dependence on Russia.

When completed, it will deliver gas from Iraq and Azerbaijan, Iraq and Turkmenistan through Turkey and Bulgaria and on to Austria.

This far Macedonia has not been included in Nabucco and the pipe is not set to pass through its territory, but authorities have been active in exploring opportunities of Macedonia's joining various energy projects, most notably Nabucco's rival, Russian-sponsored South Stream.

Shoutbox

Proto-Orchid: @ussrstrong: I blame general low activity on social medias, all the people sit there todayOct 10, 2018 12:53:50 GMT -5

reznik: @proto-Orchid: very true. What's worse, is that the system is designed specifically to keep those people dormant in their echo chambers. Nothing new to learn for them there, just stupid cat videos and such. Sad.Oct 14, 2018 5:48:26 GMT -5

Proto-Orchid: Its the substitute for going out, meeting and spending your time with friends in real life. Its just part of the story. When I was younger I remember people were meeting to play team sports, but today you see completely autistic people jogging with iPhone.Oct 14, 2018 18:18:38 GMT -5

Proto-Orchid: Then they come back home, put pictures on Instagram or Facebook to show off how they spent their time jogging, and as mental satisfaction they get few likes or hearts, or whatever social medias have today, which is a measure of how good their life is. SickOct 14, 2018 18:21:43 GMT -5

Pan-Slavic Patriot: Sto Latz! Today marks 100 years of Polska! May there be 100 more! Wish I could have gone to the Independence March to celebrate this year, of all years. Theres always the next one to look forward to...Nov 11, 2018 6:56:57 GMT -5

Pan-Slavic Patriot: The latest flare up in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is painful to watch. Two brothers pit against one-another by foriegn elites, for what? Money and power... Sad.Nov 30, 2018 3:17:07 GMT -5

gioblack94: Hello,I'm the representative of the Bulgarians and the main coordinator of Bulgaria of a movement called:"The slavic movement".Our mission is to create a slavic union and we welcome everybody who wants to join our cause:https://discord.gg/gMh2ZmMay 18, 2020 9:10:02 GMT -5

WhiteGaysack: And what do you think OUR mission is since 2004?Jun 5, 2020 14:56:11 GMT -5